The Argosy — page 160: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Dr. Ball. 147 at the pretty girls in their charming gowns, and declared them to his heart a sight worth seeing. Two or three of them, struck by the benevolence of his smile, smiled back at him, so that his satisfaction was complete. Then a dismal, booming sound came from the hall) The Doctor started on hearing it, and nearly dropped his cup of sevres. “The gong,” said a little woman near hin, getting up with graceful languor from her chair. “‘ First bell! Who would have thought it was so late?” said a tall, pretty girl. “‘ How time does fly sometimes!” ‘The Doctor in a vague way had noticed that this last speaker had had a young man whispering to her for the last half-hour. Then, as if by magic, everyone seemed to disappear. They melted away through the open doorway before his very eyes. Where were they going? Totheirrooms? The little Doctor who had been puzzled by his afternoon tea, an entirely new custom to him—now grew mildly speculative and somewhat bewildered. Seeing the signs of hesitation that enshrouded him, the Bishop went up to him, and laid his hand upon his shoulder. “Vou will like to go too,” he said, kindly, “after your long drive.” There were no trains in those days to or from Inchinabagga. “Certainly, my lord,” said Dr. Ball, mildly ; “ but where ?” “Why, to your room,” said the Bishop. “ Ah! to be sure,” returned the Doctor. Then he shook hands with the Bishop, rather to that good man’s surprise, and would probably have performed the same ceremony with Mrs. Craik, but she had disappeared. The lamps were lighted everywhere, and a tall servant in powder handed him a silver candlestick at his bed-room door, to which haven he had conducted him. Inside, the bed-room fire was burning brilliantly, and the Doctor sinking into an arm-chair gave himself up to thought. He meant to arrange his speech about Dulcinea’s engage- ment to be delivered to-morrow, but somehow his thoughts wandered. “Evidently they dine early "—(they took this form at last)— “ Evidently. 1 suppose they thought / did too, but I depended on getting something here. A mutton chop now, or even a little bit of cold mutton with my tea— it zs a long drive, as he said himself.” Not that it mattered really. They had all been kind, most kind; Mrs. Craik especially. Beautiful woman, Mrs. Craik. He was a little, perhaps—well—a little hungry certainly, but a good night’s rest is better than meat or drink; and he had often been hungry before when on a long day’s tramp; and better be hungry and receive such a kind reception as had been accorded him, than—than The fire was splendid, and the wax candles burning here and there were full of sleepy suggestions. The Doctor roused himself by an effort, and spread his hands over the glowing coals, and enjoyed the glorious heat, and almost forgot the mutton chop. When he had (COMME NOOO KS (E(©) m